“Saturday Night Fever” Boogies To Bee Gees Songs At Toby’s Dinner Theatre

Put on your boogie shoes and head to Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia to be transported to a 1970s New York City dance club in the theater’s current production, “Saturday Night Fever.”

Based on the 1977 film of the same name, “Saturday Night Fever” explores the lives and relationships of 19-year-old Tony Manero and his friends and family around him. Though details from the film are removed from the stage version to make it more accessible to families, the show still touches on heavy topics.

Tony, played by Patrick Gover, spends his days working in a paint shop, but his real passion is spending his nights at the local dance club, 2001 Odyssey. When Tony learns about a dance competition held at the club, he ditches the smitten Annette (Tori Weaver) and becomes determined to pair up with new girl Stephanie Mangano (Rachel Cahoon), an impressive dancer who at first seems to find herself above him.

Directed by Mark Minnick, the jukebox musical features songs originally performed by the Bee Gees and other disco bands, opening with the company performing “Stayin’ Alive,” followed by takes on other hits such as “Disco Inferno,” “Night Fever” and “How Deep Is Your Love.”

Gover gives a nod to the Bee Gees’ classic falsetto at the beginning of “More Than A Woman,” a fun duet between Tony and Stephanie. Weaver shines in her rendition of “If I Can’t Have You” in the first act, and Kadejah Oné, as Candy, stuns audiences with her vocals during second act opener “Nights on Broadway.”

Bobby, played by Ben Ribler, struggles to decide what he wants his life to look like and whether he’s willing to spend the rest of it with his former girlfriend Pauline (Shannon Sullivan). He and Gus, Double-J and Joey, played by Benjamin Campion, Nicky Kaider and Joey Ellinghaus, respectively, make up Tony’s core friend group.

Noah Mutterperl plays Tony’s brother Frank Manero Jr., and Terrell Chambers perches above the action as Monty while helping ground the music in the world of the 2001 Odyssey dance club.

The cast does a great job of taking advantage of how close the audience is to the action. In one memorable moment during “Jive Talkin’” — for example — ensemble members react furiously to a full plate being stolen from their table, before giving in and becoming invested in the drama unfolding in front of them.

The sets and lighting add to the intimate setting as well. The dance club is complete with changing disco lights and a disco ball, transforming the entire space.

However, the dancing is where the Toby’s cast really shines. Choreographed by Christen Svingos, “Saturday Night Fever” is a show that’s built around dance, and it’s impossible to ignore that while watching the production at Toby’s Dinner Theatre. Dancing takes the spotlight, with disco scenes taking place at Tony’s favorite dance club peppered throughout the show.

Gover and Cahoon shine as Tony and Stephanie throughout the show, but especially on the dance floor. And the choreography of the ensemble around them is just as fun to watch. When the dance competition finally rolls around at the end of the show, the impressive choreography and the talented dancing of leads and ensemble alike make it feel like a real competition without an obvious winner.

“Saturday Night Fever” has performances at Toby’s through November 2. The dinner theater’s next show, “Elf,” runs from November 7 through January 4. Learn more and purchase tickets at www.tobysdinnertheatre.com.